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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 16 of 16

Attic Retrofits Using Nail-Base Insulated Panels

Author(s)
Mallay,
Kochkin
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels. The results of this research will be applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets. The...

Best Practices Manual

Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 15: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Noonan Chrissy F,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
A guidebook helping builders design and construct homes that are among the most energy efficient available, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort. Measures described in this guide can help builders in the hot-humid climate...

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 9: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Williamson Jennifer,
Ruiz Kathi,
Bartlett Rosemarie,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Report providing builders in the hot-dry and mixed-dry climates with guidance for building homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Construction Guide to Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part II: 2x4 Walls with 1” - 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 in. thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

Conway Street Apartments: A Multifamily Deep Energy Retrofit

Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Williamson Jim
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Research report anayzing the results of a large retrofit project, turining an old school into near zero energy consumption apartments in Greenfield MA.

Crawlspace Insulation

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Organization(s)
Southface,
ORNL
Publication Date
Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.

Field Evaluation of Four Novel Roof Designs for Energy-Efficient Manufactured Homes

Author(s)
Levy E,
Dentz Jordan,
Ansanelli Eric,
Barker G,
Rath P,
Dadia D
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions Collaborative,
ARIES
Publication Date
Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.

High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

Author(s)
Straube,
Grin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Slab Happy, BSI-059

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
How hard can it be to insulate a flat sheet of concrete? I mean you only have three choices – on the top, on the bottom, or on the edge. OK, you might have some combination of the three as well.

Super Energy Efficient Design (S.E.E.D.) Home Evaluation

Author(s)
German Alea,
Dakin Bill,
Backman Christine,
Weitzel Elizabeth,
Springer David
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Research study determining how well high performance envelope and innovative cooling system interact to cost effectively reduce cooling energy use in this hot-dry climate.

Third Street

Author(s)
Gifford
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how an affordable multifamily building achieved energy savings for the same cost as code-minimum construction.

Zeroing In, BSI-081

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing Net Zero house design with sloped roof assemblies.